One of the most difficult challenges we face in the twenty-first century is whether we should advocate for, and even impose, our values such as democracy and civil rights, upon others in our world. Pluralism demands that we celebrate our world’s remarkable diversity of cultures and religions. But does pluralism require that we tolerate tyrannical forms of government, religious beliefs that promote violence and oppression, cultures that suppress human freedom?

Sharansky, a former refusenik and champion of human rights, offers us an answer. While the U.S. Declaration of Independence speaks of the equality of all people—“all men are created equal”—Sharansky expands this idea to all peoples. On the one hand, the equality of peoples supports the principle of pluralism. There is a self-evident, inalienable right for each people within our world of nations to develop and sustain its own unique culture and national identity. On the other hand, the very right of equality also requires of each people that it values and upholds fundamental human dignity and civil rights by governing itself through some form of democracy. Fear societies that govern through terror and tyranny need to be replaced by free societies that give voice and vote to the equality of people and peoples.

By defending the freedom of peoples, Sharansky also legitimates the national rights and Zionist aspirations of the Jewish people and Israel, along with those of every people and country. Sharansky challenges us to promote personal freedom and advance peace among peoples.

Rabbi Benjamin Samuels has served as rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Tefillah (Newton, MA) since 1995. He is a Genesis Scholar at Boston’s Combined Jewish Philanthropies, a Meah instructor, and a master teacher at Ma’ayan. He is a member of several national and local Jewish organizational boards and a doctoral student in Boston University’s religion and science program. Rabbi Samuels studied at Yeshiva University as a Wexner Graduate Fellow, receiving rabbinic ordination and an MA in both Bible and medieval Jewish history.

1. Do you agree with Sharansky that “all peoples are created equal”? Is there a necessary connection between the two beliefs that “all people are created equal” and that “all peoples are created equal”?

2. The Torah calls the children of Israel am segulah, God’s chosen people. What does this mean to you? Can the idea of am segulah be reconciled with Sharansky’s teaching about the equality of both people and peoples?

3. As a politician and human rights activist, Sharansky wrote The Case for Democracy proposing solutions to problems facing the peoples of the Middle East, in general, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in particular. Do you believe that democracy can solve these challenges?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

1. Which characters stand out to you? Which most reminds you of yourself? Which would you pick to represent your people?

Natan Sharansky is an Israeli politician and human rights activist who serves as Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Anatoly (later Natan) Sharansky achieved international fame when the Soviet regime denied him an exit visa to Israel and imprisoned him. His wife, Avital, traveled the world from 1977-1986, meeting with world leaders and leading the struggle to earn freedom for her husband and other Soviet Jews. Sharansky was released in 1986 and moved to Israel, where he became the leading spokesman of the movement to free Soviet Jewry. He later founded a political party and served in the Knesset and several governmental positions.

Jean Claude (J.C.) Suares (1942-2013) was an illustrator, graphic designer, and creative consultant whose work embellished major publications and dozens of books. Suares served as the first design director of The New York Times’ Op-Ed page in the 1970s. He then worked as a creative consultant for over 100 magazines, including: ESPN, Publisher’s Weekly, Fast Company, New York, Variety, and INC. Suares was valued as a mentor to many young professionals in the publishing industry. The Voices & Visions program is indebted to Suares as creative director and artist, and dedicates the Frames of Mind series to his memory. May his memory be for a blessing.

I am convinced that a successful effort to expand freedom around the world must be inspired and led by the United States. In the twentieth century, America proved time and again that it possessed both the clarity and courage that is necessary to defeat evil. Following that example, the democracies of the world can defeat the tyranny that threatens our world today and the tyrannies that would threaten it tomorrow. To do so, we must believe not only that all people are created equal but also that all peoples are created equal.